Three keys: Can New Mexico State end losing streak against rival New Mexico

LAS CRUCES - Trevor Brohard was a true freshman at New Mexico State the last time the Aggies beat rival New Mexico in 2017.

Brohard, a Los Lunas native, hopes to end his career with another victory over the Lobos on Saturday at 6 p.m., at Aggie Memorial Stadium (TV: BALLY SPORTS ARIZONA/COMCAST NEW MEXICO/FLOFOOTBALL: RADIO: 99.5 FM KXPZ /107.3 FM KCYZ (NAVAJO).

"Absolutely it means a little bit extra to me," Brohard said. "Being my senior year, I want to go out on a high note.

"As an in-state guy, you get to see both teams play each other and see the level of talent each team has. It's definitely exciting for in-state recruiting. Coaches usually bring in in-state guys they are recruiting."

The Aggies defense has kept the team in games this season and face a UNM offense that is No. 128th in total offense.

"They have some threats, they recently fired their (offensive coordinator)," Brohard said. "We just have to stick to the game plan and try not to get freaked out by it."

'Playing for pride and for Las Cruces': NM State faces rival New Mexico for first time under Jerry Kill

Here are three keys for the Aggies to end the Lobos' three-game win streak:

Keep UNM behind the sticks

Former Rio Rancho-Cleveland head coach Heath Ridenour was promoted to the Lobos offensive coordinator position this week after Derek Warehime was fired.

It's possible Ridenour will add his own wrinkles to the offense throughout the rest of the season, but how much will the Lobos change with one week of practice?

UNM is No. 128 in third down conversions on the season, converting 24 percent of the time. The Lobos are 5 for 38 (13 percent) in three Mountain West games this season. UNM is 6 for 43 (14 percent) on third down and seven or more.

But the key is getting to third down against a UNM option that rushes for 142 yards per game.

"With option teams, if they can squeeze out three or four yards per down, they are going to keep doing it," Brohard said. "If we can shut them out on first and second down, obviously they have to switch it up and go to their passing game."

The Lobos have connected on some deep pass plays down the field this year, but they are averaging 117 yards per game three touchdowns through the air and seven interceptions. Lobos quarterback Miles Kendrick is completing 57 percent of his passes for 689 yards with three touchdowns and six interceptions.

Account for the QB in the run game

While Kendrick may struggle throwing the football, he's second on the team in rushing with 137 yards with three touchdowns.

Kendrick, as well as freshman quarterback CJ Montes, are more athletic and dangerous in the run game than Florida International quarterback Grayson James, who shocked the Aggies with 61 rushing yards (before sack yardage reduced net yards to 43) on read option keepers in a 21-7 FIU win two weeks ago.

"We have to keep them contained and under control," Brohard said. "The FIU quarterback made some really good reads and he took advantage of every opportunity that he had."

The Lobos have good running backs around Kendrick, but playing assignment football will be important against a Lobos offense that will spread the field, but still run variations on the triple option, mixing in quarterback draws and quarterback designed runs.

"The key is guys doing their job," Brohard said. "We will have specific people in positions to defend, whether it's the run, the quarterback or the pitch. It's up to each and every individual to do our jobs and trust the other players to do their jobs."

Get the ball out of the quarterback's hands on offense

FIU dared New Mexico State to throw the ball, and the Aggies couldn't get it done.

NM State quarterbacks won't have time to sit back and take deep shots against a blitzing and pressure oriented UNM 3-3-5 defense coached by Rocky Long.

"It's breaking down film, watching film every day and having our read keys where they have to go and off of that, just making adjustments," said quarterback Diego Pavia, who played high school football at Volcano Vista in Albuquerque.

It's unclear who will start at quarterback for the Aggies, but Pavia did nearly bring the Aggies back against a pressure oriented UTEP defense.

"UTEP ran a lot of man, these guys run a lot of zone and man," Pavia said. "They mix it up really well. They disguise their coverage pretty well."

Both Pavia and freshman Gavin Frakes are able to run the RPO game, hitting quick passes behind the Lobos front seven, and we have seen this Aggies offense utilize screens in the past as well.

Saturday's game may be a situation where the Aggies will need to show they can move the ball with the pass in order to establish the run, where head coach Jerry Kill wants his team to excel.

Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459 or jgroves@lcsun-news.com. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Three keys: Can New Mexico State end losing streak against rival New Mexico